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Fogo de Chao

MINI Cooper of Chicago

Best of the Best Dining

What is BEST OF THE BEST

DINING, RESTAURANTS,
FOOD and WINE
IN CHICAGO

all about?

First, understand that we are not food critics; that name implies that we are trying to find something wrong with a dining experience. We are in search of what is right about food in Chicago. This
city is moving fast and it is truly a culinary capital.

We are passionate cooks and love to eat great food. So, we don't visit an eatery announced, nor do we look for (or expect) something to go wrong. If a restaurant is not excellent in more than one
way (food, continuity of cuisine, service, visual) we won't write about it. Often, the reviews are about finding one great dish.î

Also, the site is not just about fine dining in four star restaurants. It is about good food created and served with love. This means all places have an equal chance!

From $ to $$$$.

One more thing, this is not just a site about dining in Chicago. We interview some culinary characters, support entrepreneurs in the cuisine start ups, and peek around the nooks and crannies of
the food scene here to find the story behind the story. We cover restaurant and food news and happenings all over Chicago!

INSIDE YOUR CHICAGO

Michael Snell on YELP!

Derrick Sorles on YELP!

Chicago Dining and Restaurants recommends…

In Loving Memory of Laura Hansen

In Loving Memory ofLaura HansenJuly 26,1959-March 31,2010

In 2006, we became part of a blogging team of experts, with Melissa Giovagnoli. The blogosphere was growing at
leaps and bounds and Social Media was exploding. Through Melissa, we met the wonderful Laura Hansen.

My partner and I had launched a few sites already and were on our way to growing a little online publishing empire. We were also doing consulting for clients, who
wanted to know what we knew about the Web 2.0, blogging, keyword search and Social Media Networking.

On a cold day in January 2007, while having brunch with Melissa, we came up with the idea of starting a BEST OF series. And the first was Best of the Best Dining
Chicago. We decided between the three of us we could all help contribute to it. But we knew Laura Hansen would have to be involved! Laura was a foodie and was working on some food projects
for tv. She both enjoyed and created amazing food, and was inspired by exceptional wine, cuisine and a memorable
dining experience.

After a few months of launching, we were all so busy with all of our other projects, after contributing about three dozen articles, we took a step back and let Laura take it over, since she had the
most passion for food and dining.

Over the years, Laura developed this great guide to the best Chicago area food and restaurants. She also sourced ethnic cooking ingredients tucked away in small groceries throughout the
Windy City and greater Chicago-land.

I began experimenting in the kitchen at the age of 7, by trying to emulate momís hamburgers. I did not truly ìpick up the passionî again until inspiration came in
the form of Jeff Smith, which I viewed weekly on his PBS series ìThe Frugal Gourmet.î At that point, I really began to understand that cooking and creating food is the best mix of both chemistry and
love. The second significant event was the launch of TV Food Network. A self confessed ìFood Network Junkieî ñ Iíve earned my stripes by incorporating seeds of wisdom from countless hours of
viewing.

Inspired creativity is my culinary viewpoint. Inspiration comes from avocados being on sale. Inspiration comes from making that same chicken soup 20 times until itís just right. Inspiration comes
from ìI have artichokes, what can I do with that? I have traveled extensively in search of outstanding cuisine made with simple, fresh ingredients. I write about the local Chicago culinary scene and
blog about food thatís interesting and occasionally provocative. î I definitely consider myself passionate about inspired cooking and telling stories about how food makes everything better!î

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK

DISCLAIMER ñ Occasionally WE accept free copies of books, cds, dvds for review, restaurant meals to critique, bottles of wine and liquor for tastings, and at times all-expense-paid FAM & PRESS trips
and free hotel stays in exchange for articles and our honest reviews about the destinations. WE also accept payment for feature reviews when appropriate.